cover image Rooms in Bloom: Contemporary Florals for the Home

Rooms in Bloom: Contemporary Florals for the Home

Alice Whately. Watson-Guptill Publications, $29.95 (160pp) ISBN 978-0-8230-6843-2

Former Elle decor editor Whatley has compiled a collection of serene, floral-decorated rooms perfect for the new romantic trend that, despite an unrepresentative cover photo, fans of Country Living and Real Simple magazine will love. Whatley mixes the clean, white slate of minimalism with blooming pillows, sofas, curtains, furniture and wall-hangings for a modern look. As she writes, ""Keeping a light touch with your background will allow your blooms to breathe."" The book is divided into five distinctive sections, each detailing variations on larger floral themes. Feminine and Vintage Florals embrace the faded country, shabby chic style; Exotic Florals incorporates a pastiche of Asian fabric and Indian pillows; and Funky Florals presents a celebration of the decorating possibilities of digital photos, modern stencils and paper cut-outs of flowers. Each of these succeeds, but Retro Florals does not. The rooms depicted will remind readers of a circa 1970 basement rec-room. Whatley provides worthwhile suggestions, but mutes her wisdom by writing in women's magazine patter-describing, for instance, ""hip homeowners"" who want to ""glam up"" their homes. Also, many of Whatley's sources for materials are in the U.K., a drawback for U.S. readers. Ultimately, the bright and engaging photographs will find this book an appreciative audience. Photos.